The virago smiled and twiddled the knife between her fingers. Craftily lowering her eyes, and casting a side-long glance at the old man, she replied:
"And by whom, then, am I to swear?"
"By the name of God, the living God."
"But what shall I swear?"
"Swear that neither you yourself, nor any of your companions, will do this child any harm, whosoever child she is, and whether what you allege concerning her be true or not."
"Nothing else?"
"Nothing."
"Would you not save your own grey hairs from being crumpled then?"
"May the Almighty dispose of me as it seemeth Him good."
"Then I will take the oath," cried the virago, and, raising her muscular right arm heavenwards, she cried: